EOI Flying over Sydney

[Geoff]

I have recently become friends with a pilot who is needing to build up his hours flying. He's already had over 300 hours and is close to (or has) his commercial flying license, however he still needs to build them up. As a incentive he is offering more than half price flights over Sydney, taking off from Bankstown for 80 mins and flying basically wherever you like! The price is $90p/person for 1hr 20 mins and this is indeed more than half price. If you're remotely interested, please email me geoff@dslrusers.net . Pls no jokes about how scary that would be etc etc. I have trust in this guy and wouldn't suggest/recommend it if I was even slightly concerned. Of course being recommended from here a signed disclaimer would probably be a good idea.

[Alpha_7]

I actually was talking with Peter about how cool it would be to do some aerial photography, that said I've saving my pennies for storage (need somewhere to put my travel photos).

[Geoff]

I actually was talking with Peter about how cool it would be to do some aerial photography, that said I've saving my pennies for storage (need somewhere to put my travel photos).

There is a very real chance we can organise a few (very small) mini meets to go up in the plane. I also think it'd be fantastic Craig. Bel and I are more than likely going up in early September. We when come back safe and sound I can recommend the experience even more

[MHD]

Wow! That is good!
80mins is a decent flight!

[greg]

Hey Geoff

Beware the first week in September as the APEC summit has caused a 45km no fly zone over the city.

Speaking of APEC, there may be some great photo ops in the CBD today as the defense dept are landing armed soldiers with simulated ammunition in Pitt St this afternoon as a pre APEC training exercise.

Cheers
Greg

[christiand]

Hi Goeff,

e-mail sent.

Regards,
CD

[michael_]

hell yeah, in sep would be great too.

[stubbsy]

Geoff

Count me in - it would ne awesome

[Paul]

Geoff,
A great offer, we can chat on the weekend about this.
It could be a nice birthday prezzie for the good lady!

[Geoff]

Geoff,
A great offer, we can chat on the weekend about this.
It could be a nice birthday prezzie for the good lady!

Indeed - I haven't told Bel about it yet cos I want to do it for her as a surprise

[sirhc55]

My wife gave me a surprise present for my birthday of a WWI flying helmet and a pair of goggles - my reaction, yer right

What she did not tell me till later, was I had a flying lesson as well.

My first thoughts were - she’s trying to kill me (I have a fear of heights)

Anyhoo - we went to the airport (Bankstown) whereupon the instructor said that for a lesson it could only be me (with the pilot) in the plane. So I said, ”what if my wife came too?” He said that if she did come it would not be a lesson. I agreed to this and she came. I actually took the controls over Hornsby and flew the plane - what an experience.

To cut a long story short - I loved every minute of the experience - my wife, she hated every minute - I divorced her.

[Geoff]

Chris

[Matt. K]

E-mail sent.

[Reschsmooth]

Geoff, sounds great. I will tentatively put my hand up?

[ed.]

Wow that is a great offer.
Maybe after APEC is over.
Would like to get some of the city.

What length would people suggest for a fly over?

[Geoff]

The planes of choice are (and will be decided on the day of flying) are:

1. Cessna 172
Similar to this one:


2. Piper Warrior:


3. Piper Archer:


These are an example only.

[Matt. K]

The 172 is the only one suitable for photography. The other are useless unless flown upside down.

[christiand]

Hi Geoff,

any news ?
The 172 it would have to be.

Regards,
CD

[MSF]

Correct...

Of those three shown, the 172 would be the only one suitable, not only due to the fact that the overhead wing that won't get in your way - but also the fact that they can be flown with the door off. This greatly improves the quality of the images that you will get as you are not shooting through plexiglass/perspex..

I have a couple of clients that get me to do a little bit of aerial stuff and I always fly out of Camden Aerodrome as that is where my mate runs his aircraft from and we usually charter an all glass Cessna 182. (I prefer the extra room of the 182 as I'm a big bloke...

But, for the ultimate in aerial photography, (if budget allows) you can not beat a heli. Unfortunately, even a R44 Raven I (as pictured below that we used in the NSW Dutton Rally) will cost you about $700 an hour to hire... A Jetranger will be about $1100 an hour... Compared with a Fixed wing like the 172 or 182 at about $190 to $240 per hour make Heli's a luxury.










Cheers
Jason
MotorSportFotos.com

[Geoff]

Hi guys,
There has been quite a big response to this. I have spoken with Paul (the pilot) who has agreed to let people contact him directly to organise flights/times etc. I will email you individually over the next few days with his details. I've been really busy with life in general so apologies for the delay.